SPIN PHYSICS IN SOLID HELIUM - EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS AND APPLICATIONS

We have observed optical pumping signals from Cs atoms trapped in soli d He-4. While the longitudinal electronic spin relaxation time T-1 is found to be in the range of 1-2 s, the transverse relaxation time T-2, as inferred from magnetic resonance linewidths has a lower bound of 1 50 mu s, and is determined by magnetic field inhomogeneities. We prese nt,a quantitative discussion of how paramagnetic species trapped in so lid He might be used in a highly sensitive search for permanent atomic electric dipole moments.